STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, August 31. PTWSTJXTATIOX TO CAPTAIX J. B. ■HINE, M:P. At the Borough Chambers last evening a large and representative gathering of friends and supporters of Captain .J. ft. Hine, M.P., met, in order to make him a presentation prior to leaving for the front. A number of ladies were present. Mr. W. IT. 11. Young, who presided, said they had been associated wit)- Mr. Hine for many years> especially in politics, hut the meeting had been called by friends and well-wishers of all shades of .political'opinions, with the object of making a presentation to Captain Hine anjl wishing him "Clod speed" before lie left to uphold the Flag of Freedom. All would admire Mr. Hine's sacrifice in giving up family ties and friends to do his duty to his country. Mr. W. Hathaway regretted Mr. Hine's departure, especially in view oi the fact that there were plenty of eligible young men who should give their services to tlie Empire. He retailed the fact that fifteen years ago Mr. Hine and the speaker had sat at the County Council table together, and after that on the Hospital Board. lie admired Mr, Hine for having the courage of his convictions, and felt sure he would be a credit to the Empire as well as to the Dominion. He 'Wished him God-sppe<l and a safe return with fresh laurels. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. .1. W. Boon), on behalf of the people of Stratford, added his tribute of praise to the guest of the evening. He felt sure the parents of t the boys under Captain Iline's care would reel pleaded to have such an able officer to watch over them. All shades of political opinion would join in wishing Mr. Hine "God-speed" and a safe return. Mr. J. B. Richards, on behalf of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce, wished Captain Hine the best of luck, a safe voyage, and a safe return. The Rev. C. Howard, on behalf of the Church of England, wished Captain Hine "God-speed." As a member of the Church Captain Hine had done,what he could to promote its interests'in the town and district. Mr. Howard also spoke of the affection in which. Captain Hine's family was hold by tiie people of the district. Messrs Geo. gangster, R. McK. Morison, W. Kelly, T. C. Fookes, and Dr. Paget also add their tributes and good wishes.

Mr. W. Young then presented Captain Hinc with a purse of sovereigns as a slight token of the esteem anil appreciation in which he was held by the people of .his electorate. Captain Iline, who was received with loud applause, remarked that saying farewell was not a pleasant duty at any time. He mild assure them their good wishes would be constantly before him while at the front, as well as the memories of the many pleasant times he had spent in the Stratford district. He appreciated their kind remarks regarding what ho had done for the district, and he was proud to think that he had been of some use to the district, and lie would! lie still prouder if lie could do some greater good for the Empire. (Applause.) He hoped the people of New Zealand would not forget the soldiers who fought for them, when they returned home. There wore great problems to be solved, one being the care of the returned soldier, who would get old prematurely, but at the present time no legislation had been provided to assist them, and this should : oe done while the war was in progiess. He more than appreciated the presentation of the purse of sovereigns. If lie had been the only soldier going from the district he would have taken the purse for his own use; but he was pleased to sav that he was not tlie only soldier that had gone from the district" so that he could not accept the gift for himself, be intended to use the money to help those who were under arms and who needed assistance. He intended to ask the Patriotic Committee to take charge of it, and give the money to those who required it. He hoped the Committee would accept the money in the spirit in which it was given. In saying goodbye, he wished to thank them all for the kindness they had always shown to Mrs. Iline, to his family and to himself. He 'hoped to return later on and be of some further service to the Dominion. (Loud applause.) Cheers were given for Captain Hine and family, and the gathering concluded with the. singing of "For lie's a Jolly Good Fellow." GENERAL NEWS, A most despicable theft took place at iPuniwhakau recently. A soldier, who has gone to the front, left a number of tools in his whare and in charge of a neighbor, who, on going to the whare the other day, found practically everything had been stolen. It is to be hoped the offender will be caught and punnshed according to his iniquity. A sad death occurred at To Wcra 011 Tuesday. A few weeks ago Mr. Arthur Simmons was 'accidentally killed by a gun accident, leaving his wife and family 01' five children. On Tuesday one of the children, a boy of four years of age, died from complications supervening on measles, .while the rest of the family are laid aside with illness. The sympathy of'the whole district is with Mrs. Simmons in ; her sod 'bereavement.